STA Ferret Rescue

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COLDS AND FLU

Ferrets are susceptible to cold and flu viruses. They can catch it from humans or other ferrets and can pass it back again as well.

Symptoms: Basically the same as in humans – runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, some loss of appetite.

Treatment: Usually a lot of rest and TLC is all that’s required. Make sure the ferret is drinking plenty of fluids. If the sneezing and runny nose is excessive, an antihistamine called chlorpheniramine maleate (sold as Chlortrimeton or under generic names) may be used at 1/4 tablet 2 – 3 times a day. DO NOT GIVE FERRETS ASPIRIN, except under the direction of a veterinarian. If a cold persists more than 3 days without any improvement; if the nasal discharge is discolored (not clear); if the ferret is wheezing or having breathing problems; if the ferret is extremely lethargic; if the ferret has lost its appetite completely; or if the ferret appears to have a fever, see your vet right away. An oil of olbas vaporiser can be used to help make breathing easier.

Prevention: Don’t let people with colds or flu come near your ferret. If you have a cold, let someone else take care of the ferret for you until you are better. If you have to handle the ferret yourself, wear a facemask and wash your hands before handling the ferret.

CANINE DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is very contagious to ferrets and almost 100% fatal if they contract it. It is a resilient virus that can stay active for a long time off of the host and can be carried to your ferret on your shoes, clothes, and in the air. Feline distemper is rare in ferrets and usually only affects very young kits. General information about Canine Distemper >

Symptoms: Some ferrets experience sudden death, but for most the disease progresses over a period of about two weeks. Early signs include crustiness around the eyes and a rash on the chin. The rash may also be found on the abdomen. As the disease progresses, the pads on the feet may harden and thicken. Diarrhea, vomiting, seizures or severe lethargy are some other signs that may be noted. The ferret may finally lapse into a coma before it dies.

Treatment: Euthanasia is strongly recommended as distemper is a horrible, painful disease. Vitamin A supplementary treatment may help. More information >

Prevention: Thankfully there are vaccines for distemper that should help prevent your ferret from contracting the virus. There is no licenced vaccine for ferrets currenly available in the UK, but certain dog vaccines can be used, Nobivac produced by Intervet being one used by many vets in the UK for ferrets. This is a modified live virus vaccine derived from non-ferret tissue cultures. It is important NOT to use a vaccine that is of ferret tissue origin or you may actually give your ferret distemper! Vaccination against feline distemper is not needed because of the extremely low incidence of this disease in ferrets.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Canine distemper vaccines MUST be given annually/bi-annually to remain effective, the frequency will depend on the vaccine used, Intervet currently recommend 1 vial of Nobivac per adult ferret per year, and will take effect within 7 days of injection. Kits (baby ferrets) have different requirements and your vet will determine what dosage and regularity of injections is required according to the age of the kit and vaccine being used. BE SURE TO GET YOUR KIT IN TO A VET FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES TO AVOID HEARTACHE LATER!

There has been concerns about the side effects of CD vaccines with ferrets, anaphylactic shock being a side affect of earlier vaccines used in the USA and UK, that did claim lives. The occurence of such side affects is less common now, but can still happen and may be more apparent with sick or elderly ferrets, so whether to vaccinate or not is something you will have to decide on. If you do decide to get your ferrets vaccinated it is recommended that you remain at the surgery for around 30 minutes from the injection, as this tends to be the time it can take for anaphylactic shock to show, so being at the vets could save your ferrets life if this did occur.

Until recent years Canine Distemper had been of little concern to the UK ferret community, but in October 2011 there were reports of a number of ferrets across England presenting with CD and having to be put to sleep by vets. Two of the worse cases occured at Sout Cheshire Ferret Rescue (Alchester) and Wolverhampton Ferret Boarding and Rescue where the disease brought in by 1 stray from Yorkshire in the case of SCFR and 1 group of boarders for WFR spread over weeks to many other ferrets at the rescues, and also to ferrets that had been boarded at WFR during October (Dudley, Wolverhampton, Milton Keynes) . Swab tests and PMs were performed for both rescues. Other unconfirmed cases of ferrets being put to sleep because of CD were reported in Norfolk Fens, Colchester, Upminster, Grays, Redditch, and Sussex.

CORONOVIRUS ENTERITIS / E.C.E. (EPIZOOTIC CATARRHAL ENTERITIS) VIRUS (ECE is also known as the The “Green Slime” Virus)
A highly contagious diarrheal virus that attacks the intestinal lining causing poor fluid and nutrient absorption which may result in extreme dehydration, anorexia, and sometimes death. Some ferrets are severely affected while others have little or no discomfort. Age, body fat distribution, general health, and possibly genetics may be factors.

Symptoms: Initially the ferret may exhibit vomiting which is then followed by a bright to dark green diarrhea. Most ferrets recover from this stage of the virus in about 2-7 days. This sometimes leads to a false sense of security that the animal is ‘better’. Unfortunately the virus continues to attack the intestinal lining causing inflammation and ulcers. The ferret may stop eating and anorexia and dehydration set in.

Treatment: Sub-Q (under the skin) hydration and a high calorie, soft diet are a must for severe cases. Vets will often prescribe Flagyl (a liquid form of metronidazole), and Synulox PAL along with an stomach protectorant such as Antepsin to help alleviate discomfort and prevent secondary infections, but ultimatley the ferret has to combat this disease itself so will need your help to do this even if it seems unkind at the time to force feed food and medicines.

A lot of ferret owners produce their own high calorie 'soup' based on a recipe called "Duck Soup" that contrary to the name, does not containg duck but chicken. The "Duck" is in reference to the name of the ferret whose life this mixture saved. Receipes for this as well as other tips on how to care for sick ferrets can be found on the Ferrets Forum which includes contributions from one of our members. Feeding will need to occur on a regular basis every 2-4 hours (even during the night) with the aim to get your ferret to take in at least 90ml during the course of the day, this will keep your ferret alive but it will still lose weight, so the aim should be to encourage your ferret to take in between 150 -180ml a day if all it is eating is the duck soup to ensure weight gain.

Alternatively you can try feeding affected ferrets with one or a mix of convalescence support foods such as

The mixture may be heated a little to improve palatability. Some ferrets may need to be hand fed to make sure that they are eating. Ferrets that aren’t eating well on their own will need to eat 2-4 oz. of this mixture daily.

If your ferret does become anorexic then your vet may prescribe a course of prednizone, corticosteriod used to treat inflammatory conditions which often helps them regain their appetite, but only if ulcers are not suspected.

After treatments with antibiotics and steroids, it is always worth giving your ferret probiotics with its food to help get good bacteria back into its stomach, these can also help ease any discomfort. Acidophilus capsules can be used, just sprinkle over food.

NOTE - Ferrets that have suffered from such viruses are susceptible to thickening of the stomach lining (your vet will advise if this has occurred), and also anal gland impaction. Check your ferret regularly if its suffered such an illness to by feeling round its anal region, what you are feeling for is small marble like lumps which could indicate that the anal glands are impacted. If these do appear take your ferret along to the vet for diagnoses, they will then express the glands and may show you how to do this yourself for the future.

Prevention: There is no vaccine currently available. Avoid contact with ferrets that have had the disease (they can be carriers for up to 10 months after recovery). Change your clothes and shoes if you have been to an infected household to avoid bringing the disease into your home.

DIARRHEA
Diarrhea is a very common disorder among ferrets. The normal stool of ferrets is generally slightly soft and formed. Diarrhea occurs when the stool becomes more liquid in form and/or there is an abnormal frequency of defecation. Many gastrointestinal (GI) diseases cause similar clinical signs including loose stools, malabsorption (stools have the appearance of bird seeds), loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Diarrhea in ferrets may be associated with a number of diseases including Rotavirus Enteritis (in kits), Coronavirus infection (Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis), Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (mostly seen in young males), Proliferative Colitis (in young ferrets), Helicobacter Mustelae infection, Gastric Ulcers, Campylobacter Jejuni infection (from infected meat), Aleutian disease (rare), Salmonellosis (from infected meat/eggs, rare), Gastrointestinal parasites (including Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and coccidia), Lymphosarcoma, Nutritional changes, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Treatment: Not all conditions are infectious but as diarrhea can quickly lead to loss of fluid from the body and dehydration, it is best to consult your vet immediately to establish the cause of the diarrhea so that the relevant treatment can be given (different treatments are required for these causes)

If you have any questions about this information, please contact your vet.

Oxbow Carnivore Care a 45% protein, 32% fat formulation with added vitamins and minerals (contains phosphorous).Royal Canin Veterinary Convalescence Support Instant Sachets, a 42% protein, 25% fat formulation made from milk proteinUncle Jims Duk Soup, 34% protein, 16% fat (created for ferrets, in particular those suffering from ECE)Homemade Duk Soup - its easy to make your own, theres useful recipes on Ferret ForumChicken Complan, more an appetite encourager than food supplement 15.6% protein, 15% fat (contains lactose, phosphorous
  & salt), can be purchased from Boots and many supermarkets as well as online. NOTE - may cause diahorrea.Cow & Gate Creamy Chicken Baby Food, no real nutritional value, but may encourage your ferret to eat something, can be
  purchased from Boots and many supermarkets (unfortunately we don't get any chicken only baby foods in the UK, or Gerbers
  that the Americans recommend).Hills Prescription Diet A/D, very low protein and fats but easily digestible, available from your vets.

NOTE - The above is provided for information only and whilst we have tried to make sure these statements are accurate no responsibility can be taken by STARescue or the author for the interpretation of the points made or success of the procedures/ treatments mentioned.